The global market for kefir has been experiencing a steady rise over the years. Derived through a procedure of immunizing milk with kefir grains that are available as a blend of bacteria and yeast in nature, kefir has a number of health benefits, such as it improves digestion, enhances immunity, and has efficient antibacterial properties. It is extremely nutritional as it contains high levels of magnesium, calcium, folate, vitamin B12, vitamin K2, enzymes, biotin, and probiotics.

On the grounds of increasing awareness among consumers regarding its health benefits, kefir is witnessing high demand across the world. With an increasing pool of health conscious consumers, the worldwide kefir market is likely to continue its upward movement over the next few years. The fact that kefir is beneficial in lactose intolerance cases too, is also projected to aid this market substantially in the years to come. Transparency Market Research (TMR) predicts the global market for kefir, which stood at US$1.3 bn in 2016, to proliferate at a CAGR of 5.90% during the period from 2017 to 2025 and reach a value of US$2.15 bn by the end of 2025.

In this blog post, TMR analysts answer some of the main queries about the worldwide kefir market:

Which type of kefir is more favored among consumers?

Broadly, kefir are of four types: Frozen kefir, low fat content kefir, Greek kefir, and organic kefir. Currently, the demand for organic kefir is much higher than its other types, owing to its heightened consumption, triggered by self-proclaimed opinions about its health benefits among consumers. Since, organic kefir is gluten-free, lactose-free, and is comprised of organic, non-GMO ingredients, it is high on nutrients and low on risks of allergies and infections. The demand for frozen kefir is also expected to rise in the years to come, fueled by its high protein and calcium content.

Which of the regional markets is expected to take the lead in the global kefir market?

Hitherto, Europe has been leading the global market for kefir and is expected to continue on its growth trajectory in the near future. The increasing preference for healthy and organic food and beverages among consumers is the key factor behind the growth of this market in this region. The high disposable income of people across Europe, enabling them to spend comfortably on healthcare is also boosting the Europe market for kefir.

Apart from Europe, North America is also doing exceptionally good in the market for kefir. The rising application of flavored kefir in pharmaceutical products is expected to propel the North America market for kefir in the years to come.

What are the main strategies adopted by key players in this market?

Players are focusing on product innovation by adding new flavors to products and increasing their nutrient content. They are also investing heavily in research initiatives in order to develop products that match consumers’’ expectations.

Over the coming years, the leading players are predicted to shift their focus towards expanding in emerging regional markets. Such as Asia Pacific, Latin America, and the Middle East and Africa, on account of the presence of ample untapped opportunities.